And the potential game-winning play for the Celtics was for ... Marcus Morris?

Down by one point with only a few ticks left on the game clock, Boston Celtics ball. While the final shot in Boston's 98-97 loss to the Bucks was taken by leading scorer Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart -- the man who in-bounded the pass to Irving and knew better than anyone what the Celtics were looking for on that potential game-winning sequence -- said the first option on the play was for Morris with Irving as the No. 2 option.22 Feb @ 4PM

Marcus Smart aptly describes why he'd thrive in '60s or '70s NBA

Marcus Smart aptly describes why he'd thrive in '60s or '70s NBA originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com Do you ever watch Marcus Smart play tenacious defense and wonder how much he'd enjoy playing in the rough-and-tumble NBA of old? Apparently Smart has had the same thoughts. Speaking to Mirin Fader for an excellent Bleacher Report feature story published Thursday, the Boston Celtics guard insisted his aggressive style of play would have served him well if he'd entered the league 40 or 50 years ago.22 Feb @ 12AM

Did Terry Rozier try to recuit Zion Williamson to Puma after shoe mishap in Duke-UNC?

Did Terry Rozier try to recuit Zion Williamson to Puma after shoe mishap in Duke-UNC? originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com The hype surrounding the much-anticipated Duke vs. North Carolina college basketball game Wednesday reached extreme levels when tickets were selling for Super Bowl-level prices and celebrities including Barack Obama and Ken Griffey Jr. showed up to Cameron Indoor. The fun didn't last, however, as Duke star and top 2019 NBA Draft prospect Zion Williamson blew through his shoe and left the game early in the first half with an apparent injury.21 Feb @ 7PM

Blazers Outsiders: What to expect on his long road trip

Blazers Outsiders: What to expect on his long road trip originally appeared on nbcsportsnorthwest.com The Blazers have the unenviable task of starting the "second half" of the season with a seven-game road trip. The trip will see them hit the road for two weeks, play games in two countries, and have tipoffs ranging from 1pm to 8pm. Needless to say, it's going to be an exhausting trip.21 Feb @ 6PM

Why Brad Stevens isn't thinking twice about Kyrie Irving-Kevin Durant chatter originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com Brad Stevens has a lot on his plate right now, and dissecting Kyrie Irving's All-Star Weekend interactions with Kevin Durant isn't one them. The Boston Celtics coach was asked Wednesday during his interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub whether he's heard any of the chatter surrounding a recent video of Irving talking with Durant that some are convinced is a sign both stars will join the New York Knicks in free agency next season. "I haven't heard any of the commentary, but I would tell you this: Kyrie and Kevin are good friends," Stevens said.21 Feb @ 4PM

Jayson Tatum guarantees Celtics will win 2019 NBA championship

Friday morning, Jayson Tatum guaranteed the U.S. team would beat the World team in the Rising Stars game that night. Jayson Tatum says we're going to win the Finals this year. Obviously, Tatum wasn't going to pick against Boston.21 Feb @ 8AM

Bucks open second half with showdown vs. Celtics

With his high-profile All-Star Weekend now complete, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and his pals on the Milwaukee Bucks, will still have national exposure Thursday when the post-break schedule opens with a visit from the Boston Celtics. The Eastern Conference-leading Bucks (43-14) will enter the nationally-televised contest having won 14 of their last 16 games and eight of their last nine. The Celtics, fourth in the conference at 37-21, have won 12 of their last 15 games and have taken two straight after a mini two-game skid.21 Feb @ 5AM

Gordon Hayward twisted

Gordon Hayward twisted (right) ankle during workout in injury scare originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com We have bad news and good news: Gordon Hayward injured his ankle Tuesday .. but not that ankle. The Boston Celtics forward twisted his right ankle during a workout in Boston on Tuesday and likely will be questionable for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks, head coach Brad Stevens revealed Wednesday during an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak & Bertrand."20 Feb @ 11PM

Glen 'Big Baby' Davis to pay $15K fine, avoid jail after drug bust

Glen 'Big Baby' Davis to pay $15K fine, avoid jail after drug bust originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com Glen Davis won't be heading to jail after all. The former Boston Celtics forward has agreed to pay a $15,000 fine to avoid jail time after his February 2018 arrest on drug charges, per the Associated Press. "Big Baby" was arrested at a hotel in Maryland last February and indicted on seven counts of drug possession and distribution after police found him with 126 grams of marijuana and a briefcase containing $92,000.20 Feb @ 5PM

If Jayson Tatum wants to play for Celtics his entire career, he can force the issue

Tatum can make Ainge think harder about any Davis pursuit, and just how much the team would be willing to give up for him, by emerging an impact player during Boston's stretch run and into the postseason. The more success the Celtics have in the playoffs, the more likely the team might be to simply allow this young core to develop together (and the team could still seek outside help with its other assets, including a bevy of future first-round picks). MORE CHRIS FORSBERG C's future is fascinating, but so is the present Tatum hasn't made the sort of leap that many expected in Year 2, in part because of the absurd expectations established from the very moment he dunked on LeBron James in Game ...20 Feb @ 4AM